Monument Physical Therapy - Gering

Monument Physical therapy is a therapist-owned practice specializing in delivering individualized care for patients both young and old for treatment of disorders of the body. We have been serving the Scottsbluff/Gering Valley since November of 2009 in which we started with one physical therapist and one office employee. Now we employ 6 professional staff including 2 Physical Therapists, 3 Physical Therapist Assistants, and an Athletic Trainer. We have several “on the job trained” technicians and an office manager to complete our staff.

We are excited to offer rehabilitation services including post-operative care, stroke rehabilitation, women’s health, pediatrics, and aquatics. We also provide treatments such as Dry Needling, Graston technique, Cupping Therapy, and kinesio taping to offer our clientele the latest and most advanced procedures in manual therapy available for faster and better results. Monument Physical Therapy’s Athletic Trainer provides coverage for three of the local public schools during athletic events and treatment before and after games to keep area athletes at the top of their game.

Our goal is to provide the most complete care for each individual patient and to make every person that walks through our doors to feel like they are the most important person through our excellence in customer service.

Michael Moravec, PT, DPT, OCS, SFMA

Clinic Supervisor

I first decided to be a Physical Therapist when I was 13 years old. Young? Yes, but I have always had a desire to know how the body works, and how I could make it work better! From that age on, I have only strengthened my passion for helping people feel better without the need for surgery or medication through getting my doctorate. As my passion continues to grow, I am now working to obtain my certification in manual therapy (COMT) by the International Academy of Orthopaedic Medicine (IAOM) in order to can give my patient’s the latest and most effective evidence-based treatment for their orthopedic problems.

Meghan Pollnow, PT, DPT, SFMA

Sophomore year of high school, I tore my ACL playing soccer. During my time as a patient following surgery, I became interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy. I am most passionate about working with patients in orthopedic and neurological populations, and am grateful to be in a field where I am able to connect with so many people. I am dedicated to providing the best care to each of my patients. I relocated to Scottsbluff from Lincoln, Nebraska to join the Monument Physical Therapy team in July of 2015.

Josh Hill, PTA, SFMA

While in high school I injured my shoulder playing football and required physical therapy. This was followed by multiple track injuries that also required PT treatments. I began my studies in college focusing on Exercise Science. During that time, I worked as a physical therapy technician in an outpatient physical therapy clinic and realized that my passion was in rehabilitation. That was when I began pursuing my career in Physical Therapy Assistance.

Hobbies: Being outdoors with family, swimming, biking, playing in the snow

Toni Rice, PTA, SFMA

Throughout high school and college, I was very active in competitive running. I ended up becoming a patient at one point in my running career and after seeing how much physical therapy helped, I realized at that moment that I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy and help people of all ages recover from injuries as well. I couldn’t be happier with my choice, every day I learn something new from my patients and find pure joy out of helping patients achieve something that is important to them. In the end I have gained some of the greatest friendships.

Hobbies: Spending time with family and puppy Oakley, being at the lake in the summer, running for fun, and being outdoors.

Andrew Polk, PTA

My interest in physical therapy was sparked by a shoulder injury I sustained while playing baseball. The human body fascinates me, therefore I was drawn to the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Iowa Western Community College. It is a great reward to apply my education and interest of how the body works to improve patients' daily lives.

Education:

2016 - Associates of Science in Physical Therapy Assistance– Iowa Western Community College

Professional Society Memberships:

Nebraska Physical Therapy Association

American Physical Therapy Association

Certifications/Specialized Training:

Certified Cupping Therapist

Working Towards Certifications as:

ART (Active Release Techniques)

Hometown: Lincoln, NE

Hobbies: Hunting, Camping, hiking, spending time with family.

Austin Freeburg, ATC, SFMA

Growing up a coach’s kid I’ve been around sports my entire life and as a result have seen my fair share of injuries. I was intrigued by the recovery and rehabilitation process, which is how I developed a passion for helping athletes return to sports after an injury. It is rewarding for me to work with an athlete and help them return to a sport at or above their level of performance prior to injury. I also enjoy the ability to work with athletes in the injury prevention aspect of sports through Sportsmetrics and strengthening and conditioning. I enjoy being around athletes that share the same passion and drive as myself to become greater at a sport they enjoy.

Education:

2009 – Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion – University of Wyoming

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If you have back pain, there is a chance you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from sciatica. This type of pain also extends into usually one but sometimes both legs as well. The good news is there are go-to treatments and ways to work with a physical therapist in Gering, NE and all other office locations to help you cope with sciatica. Learn more about what sciatica is, top signs and symptoms and forms of treatment and physical therapy.

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is a nerve located near the lower back and spine that runs into their legs and feet. Upon sustaining an injury, the sciatic nerve can become irritated or damaged. This can cause pain or numbness in a variety of areas and cause sciatica, which is also known as lumbar radiculopathy. When the nerve has become irritated, it will become inflamed, which is one of the sources of the pain. Another reason for the source of pain is in the region where the sciatic nerve is located. If the space becomes constricted and there is not much room, or if the nerve is pinched, it can become painful. You may also get sciatica from a herniated disk or bone spur.

Signs and Symptoms

One of the key symptoms of sciatica is a radiating pain that starts in your lower back/spine and into one of your legs. Usually it is only painful in one leg, but in some cases, can be both. At times, the pain can radiate as far down as your thighs, calves or even feet. For some, it can be a sore feeling. Others may describe sciatica pain as though they feel the area is hot. For others, it can be a sharp, piercing pain. Because this is an issue related to a nerve, it can lead to a tingling feeling or even numbness in the area. Muscles might be sore and it also might be difficult to put weight on your feet. For some, there is little to no back pain with sciatica, but they feel pain in one or both of their legs.

Treatment and Physical Therapy

For those who are coping with sciatica, there is good news. In many cases, surgery is not usually needed. If you begin to feel pain in your lower back and into your legs, it is best to contact a doctor as soon as possible. They can help you get on a plan for treatment to make sure this is not a long-term injury. One of the ways doctors encourage patients to heal and improve the quality of the issue is through physical therapy. By working with a local physical therapist, you can learn exercises and stretches to help strengthen the muscles. In addition, your doctor may recommend you take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories. For severe cases, they may prescribe a muscle relaxer. Only very extreme cases will require surgery.

Are you one of the over 60 percent of Americans dealing with neck pain? Neck pain can be a painful condition that leads to many other issues and symptoms that you may not have even realized stemmed from your neck. However, you do have options to help ease symptoms and potentially cure some of your top issues for a better quality of life. Learn what neck pain is, signs and symptoms to watch out for and how physical therapy in Nebraska can help you recover.

Overview and causes

For many, pain in the neck region can start small and gradually get worse over time. In fact, according to the American Osteopathic Association’s Chronic Neck Pain, neck pain is the third highest reason for chronic pain. For many, it could have stemmed from an injury or wrong movement, and if not cared for over time, worsens. Poor posture, improper lifting techniques at the gym, odd movements, torn muscles or ligaments and more are some of the leading causes the American Osteopathic Association says leads to neck pain.

Signs, Symptoms and Common Issues

While pain in the neck area is one of the go-to signs of an issue, there are many other issues that can occur that stem down from neck pain and injuries. Neck pain sufferers may experience frequent headaches, dizziness, issues picking things up, numbness in the arm and various types of pain such as quick, sharp pains, overall soreness or a burning sensation. For many, their neck pain is due to degenerative disease, a herniated, bulging or ruptured disc, cervical fusion or cervical laminectomy/discectomy. Each of these things should not be ignored and treated by a local physician and physical therapist.

Treatment and How a Physical Therapist Can Help

As a neck pain sufferer, it is best to self-care in addition to what your doctor has told you for treatment. Make sure you always maintain good posture, avoid activities that lead you to lean your neck to one side for long periods of time and take an anti-inflammatory medication. Applying heat or cold to your injury can also help, and varies from person to person. You can test out on your own to see what helps or work with your doctor or a physical therapist to see which of the two is better for you. Last, working with a physical therapist can help. Learn more about physical therapy treatments for neck pain from your premier physical therapist in Nebraska.

If you live with chronic neck pain, or have recently sustained an injury that has led to neck pain, help is available. When it comes to any of your neck pain issues, North Platte Physical Therapy is your local therapy group. With over 22 offices, you are sure to find one near you to help you overcome your neck injury. We will support you with a customized plan to get you on your way to recovery. Don’t live with chronic neck pain any longer! To get started, contact North Platte Physical Therapy today and discuss with us your issues.

When you think of physical therapy, images of older or injured adults recovering from surgery probably come to mind. However, physical therapy is not just for those who are aging or injured. In fact, special needs children such as those with autism can greatly benefit from regular physical therapy in Cheyenne WY. Here’s how:

Imitation Skills

Children who have autism often do not develop imitation skills on their own. What are imitation skills? When children are young, they often imitate what they see people around them doing. These skills will eventually help children socialize and learn to speak, so they are crucial to a child’s development. If your child has not mastered his imitation skills, a physical therapist can help. For example, trained physical therapists can use fun songs such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” to help children learn how to mimic movements. Learn more about imitation skills.

Motor Skills

Children with autism typically have limited motor skills, which makes it difficult for them to navigate through their daily lives. A physical therapist can work one-on-one with affected children to help them improve their balance and develop the muscle strength they need to perform daily activities. After attending regular physical therapy sessions, children with autism may see improvements in their ability to sit upright, walk, run, and jump without assistance.

Physical therapists can also help children learn how to use these motor skills to play on their own or with others. For example, therapists can work with kids to help them understand how to climb on a playground or kick a ball in a game of soccer. They can also help them improve their motor planning skills. For instance, kids with autism may be able to climb into a swing, but they still might not be able to figure out how to pump their legs to get the swing to move. In this case, a physical therapist can focus on motor planning to fine tune these skills, which will help the child become more socialized as he learns how to play with others.

Posture

If you’ve ever seen a physical therapist after an injury, you know the importance of good posture. Practicing good posture can prevent painful injuries caused by slouching your shoulders or hunching your back. Unfortunately, children with autism often suffer from generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), which can cause weak muscles, and therefore bad posture. A physical therapist can help by correcting any misalignments that are often found in the postures of children with autism and teaching them the importance of sitting up straight to elongate their spines.

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we’re dedicated to helping clients of all ages and abilities. If you’re curious about physical therapy, contact North Platte Physical Therapy to learn more about how we can help you and your children live healthier lives. Our staff is praised throughout the Wyoming and Nebraska areas for our commitment to our clients. We can fulfill comprehensive physical therapy services, and would be happy to customize a treatment plan for your personal needs.

Coming to Monument Physical Therapy in Gering, NE! We are offering a 1 day clinic for older drivers to come have their vehicles checked out to make sure they are safe on the road! Saturday July 23rd from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Contact us at 308-633-5361 if there are any questions!!